Llanelli Warriors RFC: March 2007

Match report from S.W. Guardian

Match report

Despite a few weeks break, the Llanelli Warriors managed an impressive return to action last weekend at Tumble. The bright sunshine and firm ground obviously suited the Warriors running style, even if the heat prohibited running rugby.
The Tumble team looked well prepared and had plenty of experience in the squad with many of the clubs coaches taking the opportunity to show their young charges how it’s done.
The Warriors started brightly and almost from the kick off forced a penalty which Tony Whittaker duly slotted. The lead was stretched not long after when No8 Simon Jenkins drove hard off a scrum allowing Gwilym Lewis to score.
The Tumble team began to gel though with their backs making some strong runs. Determined to run everything they made headway into the Warriors half and hooker Errol Price drove over, prompting chants of ‘Tumble! Tumble!’ from the large crowd.
Both sides looked to move the ball and despite the heat the pace remained high. The larger home team having an advantage in contact but the Warriors possibly having a little extra pace. The Warriors snatched the next score when Andrew John ran in an interception soon followed by Chris Spriggs who darted over from a close range ruck..
Sharp as they were in attack, there were some defencive lapses from the Warriors and Tumble hit back. Price again drove strongly for a second score and fly half Simon Jones notched 7 points with a try and conversion. Steve Seager and Jason Evans dominated the line outs for Tumble but the Warriors pacey back three of Whittaker, Rowlands and Howells meant that they could prosper on scraps of possession.
Despite the Warriors lead there was little really to choose between the sides as the game progressed. Stu Taylor had a useful debt for the Warriors whilst Alan Taylor showed some touches of class, for Tumble Endaf Jones and Emyr Davies were effective throughout. Tumble introduced several youngsters in the second half in James Stephens, Darren Jones and Mathew Cavill, who covered so much ground it often appeared as though it were 20 a side. The Warriors eventually sealed a deserved win. Half back partners Gwilym Lewis and Jon Jones orchestrated a sweeping move from which Neil parker crossed out wide and to wrap things up co center Alan Stephens showed the Warriors maintained their hunger right til the end, snatching up a loose ball and crossing for the games final score.
A cracking match played in good spirits the Warriors would like to thank Tumble for the welcome they received both on and off the field.
Tumble: Colin Hopkins, Steve Hewitt (James Stephens), Richard Lloyd, Richard Davies (Darren Jones), Endaf Jones (Mathew Cavill), Simon Jones, Huw Daniels, Emyr Davies, Errol Price, Gareth Cavill, Steve Seager, Jason Evans, Mal Spain, Aled Lewis, Neil Griffiths.
Warriors: Lee Rowlands, Jaes Howells, Andrew John (Neil Parker), Alun Stephens, Tony Whittaker (Alan Taylor), Jon Jones, Gwilym Lewis, James Dew (Jason Bennett), Jason Jenkins (Cpt), Richard Evans (Meredith Pugh), Roger Thomas, John Horwood (Jon Kerr), Chris Spriggs, Simon Jenkins, Stu Taylor.

It’s more than just a game...

An interesting (and blydi HOT) day, what with late buses, missing kit, borrowed Tumble kit, borrowed betws kit and then a match. Plenty of positives from the game, in attack anyway. Simon ran strongly, James did well on his wing and some of the passing was excellent. Defence was a bit of an optional extra at times though. Skill of the day, despite Al’s American football passing and Lee Rowlands header, must have been Simon dropping Killer at a line out, (wait til his Mam sees you Simon!)
We seemed to have got away with the various kit mix ups and missing shorts and socks until Block returned to the field in his pants for the last of the hostilities. Obviously pictures of such a grotesque sight cannot be shown on a family web site like this but for those of a certain fetish persuasion apparently http://www.big-bola-hot-boys.com/ paid good money for the negatives.
After match activities were centred around John Horwood trying to have a kip, Jason Jenkins trying to eat the food and avoiding watching Caelyr beating the Ospreys. Jason was the most distracting, perhaps stripping on the way to the game was a sign but we had a classic memorable speech and sing song.
Unfortunately the detour to Ammanford on the way home only gave more time for singing but at least we all got home to the Cambrian safely.

or something like that...

The Warriors managed to record their 5th staright victory - sealing a very successful 6 nations period for the club. A mini Grand Slam was achivied with victories over 3 Welsh, 1 Scottish and now 1 e**lish club.

Match Report

The Llanelli Warriors retained the CMG cup in an intriguing match at Stradey Park last Friday night.
With both teams including players with learning difficulties the game was a great advert for Challenge rugby. The coaches agreed the standard was high with good skill levels shown throughout. Obviously the Warriors were delighted to secure the victory but more importantly over 20 players, despite being labelled disabled, had the chance to represent their communities and country on the rugby field.
The Warriors started strongly, mainly through their backs with wing James Howells, prop James Dew and fly half Jon Jones crossing for early scores. The Warriors were playing their 130th fixture whilst for the Saracens it was just their 6th and this experience was brought to bear in an impressive opening quarter.
The Saracens though, putting their long coach journey behind them, managed to hit back through their impressive forwards. McCann, Reed, Daley, Lewis and Kyshenia rumbled up the field and powered over for a couple of tries putting the game back into the balance.
Home advantage meant the Warriors had a large squad at their disposal for what is already a popular fixture. Joining the impressive Meredith Pugh and Tony Whittaker were the gazelle like Jason Bennett and the tough tackling Mark Sargent. This allowed the Warriors to regain some of the initiative and stay ahead of the Brave Herts revival. The smaller English squad pushed the Llanelli team all the way with both sides adding to their tally but in the end the Warriors secured the silverware.
On a great night for the club the Warriors received £600 from champion fund raisers Rob’s Jewellery, rasied in memory of former Warriors full back Dai Spriggs. The money was presented to his father Mike who in turn presented the club with an impressive David Spriggs Memorial Cup which will be presented to the Player of the Year.
Back at the Cambrian Pub Hornes and Edwards were named as their repective teams’ Man of the Match before outgoing Saracens Captain Tony Reed presented victorious Warriors Captain Jason Jenkins with the CMG cup.
The Sarcens Brave Herts tour, which also took in a trip to Cardiff was a resounding success and the Warriors would like to thank all at the Cambrian and the Scarlets ground staff for their help in hosting their guests. The Warriors hope to make the return journey in May.

Llanelli Warriors: Meredith Pugh, Tony Whittaker, Lee Rowlands (Mark Sargent), Andrew John (James Davies), James Howells, Jon Jones (Matthew Jones), Lee Barber (Mike Esney), Dai Edwards, Jason Jenkins (Cpt), James Dew (Colin Talcon), Roger Thomas, John Horwood, Chris Spriggs, Simon Jenkins, Gwilym Lewis (Jason Bennett)

Saracens squad: Oliver McCann, Stuart Daly, Barry Kyshenia, Tony Read, Jonathan Horne, James Shilton, David Dobson, Nick Winwood, Mark Lewis, Chris Johnson, Micky Robinson, Richard Seaward, Tom Ward, Lee Corley, Martin Helbig, Jamie Delamain, Matt Smith, Mark Brooks, Robert Seager

Ref: Steve O'Neil

Warriors Tries: James Dew (2), James Howells (2), Jon Jones, Tony Whittaker

Conversions: Simon Jenkins

Saracens Tries: Micky Robinson, Barry Kyshenia 2, Jamie Delamain, Stuart Daly

Conversions: Chris Johnson (5)

Saracens featured debut's from Martin Helbig, Jonathan Horne, Robert Seager, James Shilton and Micky Robinson. Also sneaking on to help out (ie Bradwyr turncoats) Mathew Jones, Gwilym Lewis and Lee Rowlands.

Warriors Man of the Match: Dai Edwards
Saracens Man of the Match: Jonathan Horne

You will notice a certain vagueness about the above report which is due to a general sequence of events that went something like this: finish playing rugby-drink-sleep-drink-play rugby-drink-watch Wales smash england-DRINK-DRINK-sleep. Perhaps once I've found Louie some more details will emerge so keep checking back. Anyway top game, top night and from what I saw in the Philamonic in Cardiff on Saturday the Saracens weren't too down hearted either. I beleive there was a mention on BBC Radio Wales the next day but technical problems put paid to the live interview. Thanks to Dai Healey and his ground staff for such a top notch effort on the field. A good squad turned out for the Warriors including Lee Barber's annual apperance, Mike Esney's return after 5 years of retirment and Mark Sargents lllooonnnggg promised debut. Although they started in their usual positions, the likes of Meredith Pugh (center), Tony Whittaker (center), Simon jenkins (scrum half) and Roger Thomas (flanker) all got the chance to get some experience in different positions. The Warriors stsrted off the match at a frantic pace with sweping moves that openned the way for James Howells, James Dew, Jon Jones and eventually Tony Whittaker to run in tries. This strong start was not suprising due to several factors: The Warriors coming off a strong preformance in Cefneithin, with a settled side playing at home whilst the Saracens had travelled down that afternoon with a small inexerpienced squad in which 5 players were making debuts. It is to their credit then that they soon managed to get into the game. While the Warriors experimented with their backline the Saracens pack took the bull by the horns and carried well upfield. They used close quater passing and mauls to good effect and well directed from fly half, proceeded to first gain territory, and then points. Barry Kyshenia led the way with two touch downs whilst Mikey Robinson, Stuart Daly and Jamie Delamain also crossed. Chris Johnson, who had a livley game at the base of the scrum converted each try for a ten point haul.

Rob's Jewellrey presented £600 to the club in honour of Dai Spriggs while Mike himself presented The Dai Spriggs Memorial Trophy which will from now on be presented to the Player of the Year. Unfortunatley the photos haven't come out but the support was much appreciated. Rob's boys were also most welcome guests back at the Cambrian.

With presentations made again (and still crap photos) Jason kept a close eye on the CMG cup as it was handed around for all to partake. Louie of course partaked to much and was last seen helped into a taxi. to make sure the party went on into the night there was a relay of Warriors with Tori, Pegler and Burnell all turning up well into the event. The english u21's managed (with 9 minutes of extra time) to scrap a draw but it was all a cracking start to the weekend which produced THIS

Congratulations to Olly who will be taking over from Tony as Capatin of the Saracens: good luck.

Fotos